Christine Quinn Quotes

Powerful Christine Quinn for Daily Growth

About Christine Quinn

Christine Quinn is an accomplished American author, political strategist, and former politician who has left an indelible mark on the literary world and the political landscape of New York City. Born in 1963, she grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where her love for reading and writing was nurtured from a young age. This passion led her to study English at Boston College before pursuing a career in journalism. Quinn's political journey began in the late 1980s when she moved to New York City to work as a press secretary for Mayor Ed Koch. She later served as press secretary for Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a key strategist during his successful mayoral campaigns. In 2005, Quinn made history by becoming the first woman and the first openly gay person to be elected as Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn's literary career took off in 2013 with the publication of her debut novel, "Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For." The memoir detailed her personal and professional journey, offering insights into her life as a powerful woman in politics. Her second novel, "The Other's Gold," was published in 2018. This historical fiction piece is set during the Gilded Age in New York City and delves into themes of love, power, and social change. Quinn's work is deeply influenced by her experiences in politics and her commitment to social justice. Her novels reflect a keen understanding of power dynamics, particularly as they relate to gender and sexuality, and offer thought-provoking perspectives on the human condition. Quinn continues to be a significant figure in both literature and politics, using her platform to advocate for equality and progress.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Never apologize for being a powerful woman."

This quote by Christine Quinn emphasizes the importance of owning one's power as a woman without the need for apologies. It underscores the idea that women, like all people, should be empowered to fully express their abilities, talents, and ambitions without fear of judgment or backlash due to gender. The quote encourages female self-confidence, assertiveness, and the rejection of societal norms that may diminish a woman's strength and capabilities. It is a call to action for all women to embrace their power and break free from the constraints of traditional roles and expectations.


"Success is not about how much money you make. It's about the difference you make in people's lives."

This quote suggests that true success isn't solely defined by financial wealth, but rather by the positive impact one has on other people's lives. In essence, Christine Quinn is implying that success can be found in contributing to the betterment of others and making a difference in their lives. It encourages us to focus on creating meaningful connections, fostering growth, and uplifting those around us rather than solely pursuing material gains.


"Always be kind, but never compromise on who you are or what you stand for."

This quote emphasizes that one should always maintain kindness towards others while unwaveringly upholding their identity and beliefs. It suggests that being kind is a fundamental aspect of personal interaction, yet it's equally important to stay true to oneself and not compromise on core values and principles. In essence, the message encourages compassion and self-integrity in all aspects of life.


"Don't wait for opportunity, create it."

This quote emphasizes proactive and self-reliant action. Instead of passively waiting for opportunities to come along, the advice is to take matters into one's own hands and actively create chances that lead to personal growth or success. It encourages individuals to identify their goals, seek out resources and connections, and make things happen in order to achieve what they desire. In essence, it's a call to be resourceful and take control of one's destiny.


"You don't need to explain yourself to anyone. Stay true to your journey and let the results speak for themselves."

This quote by Christine Quinn emphasizes personal integrity, self-awareness, and the importance of authenticity in one's life journey. By encouraging individuals not to feel compelled to explain their actions or thoughts to others, it highlights the value of self-expression and trusting oneself. At the same time, it underscores the power of results – the tangible outcomes that speak volumes about one's character, commitment, and dedication. Ultimately, this quote suggests a mindset of staying true to personal values and convictions, as well as trusting in the impact of one's actions over time.


It would be thrilling, obviously, to be able to have a woman and an openly LGBT person as the mayor of New York City.

- Christine Quinn

Woman, New, Mayor, Thrilling

I try to not think too much about how stuff gets seen as it's being done by a woman. Because if you think about it, then you end up thinking about how you're acting, and if you are thinking about how you're acting, then you are preoccupied and you're going to end up being insincere. You're kind of not present.

- Christine Quinn

Woman, About, Preoccupied, Insincere

At this point in my life, I'm not going to spend a lot of time focusing on dissatisfaction with who I am, and I'm not going to spend a lot of time tempering my personality. Whatever job I have next, I'm going to be somebody who wants to get things done.

- Christine Quinn

My Life, Next, Point, Dissatisfaction

I couldn't be more proud of my work as a progressive.

- Christine Quinn

Work, Proud, More, Progressive

When I was running for speaker, people would go out of their way to point out why I wasn't going to win: 'You're a woman, you're too liberal, you're gay, you're from the West Side of Manhattan,' which in that context was an insult.

- Christine Quinn

Woman, Why, Point, Context

My mother would organize huge parties for my elementary school classmates. To prepare, she would go back to the bakery in her old neighborhood of Inwood and get special shamrock cookies. Hawaiian Punch was served and we had shamrock napkins. It was a lot of fun.

- Christine Quinn

Prepare, Back, Had, Organize

I'm a lesbian. Yup. Hundred percent. Hundred percent. I remember being in college, and I had fallen in love with this woman, and I remember sitting in my dorm room saying out loud to myself, like, 'You have enough problems. You are not gonna let this happen.' You just kinda, like, stuff it away until - well, some people stuff it away forever.

- Christine Quinn

Love, College, Some, Dorm

I'm a lesbian. Yup. Hundred percent. Hundred percent. I remember being in college, and I had fallen in love with this woman, and I remember sitting in my dorm room saying out loud to myself, like, 'You have enough problems. You are not gonna let this happen.'

- Christine Quinn

Love, College, I Remember, Dorm

Bike lanes - I put that now in the category of things you shouldn't discuss at dinner parties, right? It used to be money and politics and religion. Now, in New York, you should add bike lanes.

- Christine Quinn

Politics, New, Add, Category

Bike lanes are clearly controversial. And one of the problems with bike lanes - and I'm generally a supporter of bike lanes - but one of the problems with bike lanes has been not the concept of them, which I support, but the way the Department of Transportation has implemented them without consultation with communities and community boards.

- Christine Quinn

Been, Concept, Boards, Department

I think it's really important to realize that small businesses are often the portal for immigrants into the New York City economy. I think we have something like 40,000 small businesses that are immigrant-run in New York.

- Christine Quinn

City, Small, I Think, Businesses

I think it's really important to realize that small businesses are often the portal for immigrants into the New York City economy.

- Christine Quinn

Small, Think, New, Businesses

I understand that not everyone agrees with my perspective on Ray Kelly. But what you gotta look at here is somebody like Bill de Blasio talking out of both sides of his mouth and trying to have it both ways on a really critical issue like stop-and-frisk.

- Christine Quinn

Both Sides, Here, Critical, Both Ways

I hope there is nothing about me that people have a big problem with. You know, I like to think of myself as lovable.

- Christine Quinn

Think, Big, Like, Lovable

I've already begun to put pilot programs in place that give CUNY grads opportunities to get good tech jobs. We should expand on that so that New Yorkers are getting those jobs, because those jobs are probably one of the biggest 21st Century pathways into the middle class.

- Christine Quinn

Good, Begun, New Yorkers, 21st Century

The library of my elementary school had this great biography section, and I read all of these paperback biographies until they were dog-eared. The story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Madame Curie and Martin Luther King and George Washington Carver and on and on and on.

- Christine Quinn

Biographies, Martin Luther, None

People used to feel oddly empowered to tell me all the reasons I couldn't win. Because I was a woman. Because I was a lesbian. Because I was from the West Side of Manhattan.

- Christine Quinn

Woman, Side, Reasons, Lesbian

I come as one package deal. An Irish lesbian who wakes up every day and goes to work. And I don't spend a lot of time thinking about being 'the first this' or 'the first that' because it would take up space in my brain.

- Christine Quinn

Every Day, Irish, Deal, Lesbian

There's not a lot of conversation going on in my world about softening my image. I'm pretty much who I am.

- Christine Quinn

Pretty, Going, Image, Conversation

Am I pushy? Yep. Do I like taking 'no' for an answer when 'no' means New Yorkers aren't going to get something they need? No. Do I push back and crack some eggs? Absolutely.

- Christine Quinn

New, Some, Means, Push

I have big emotions, and I care deeply about delivering for New Yorkers, and sometimes that means you got to push things forward - and I think New Yorkers know that.

- Christine Quinn

New, Big, Delivering, Push

I know New Yorkers are gonna vote for a candidate - me - who has the longest record of delivering for them. They want a mayor who can deliver for them. And I'm the only one - I don't care who gets in - who has that record.

- Christine Quinn

New, Delivering, Longest, Vote

At times, you need to be forceful to get things that are stuck unstuck.

- Christine Quinn

Need, Times, Forceful, Stuck

I'm an aggressive woman who gets things done, and that's the way it is, and I've never been embarrassed about the fact that I am pushy.

- Christine Quinn

Woman, Fact, Been, Aggressive

People have said I can come off a little trial-lawyerish. I tell people I never actually became a lawyer, but I play one at City Hall.

- Christine Quinn

City, Play, Became, Lawyer

I want to be affirmatively proud of what I have made my way through. And to do that, in the same way I had to tell my father and my family and my friends that I was gay, I need to not hide this anymore.

- Christine Quinn

Proud, Through, Need, Gay

Chick-fil-A is not welcome in New York City as long as the company's president continues to uphold and promote his discriminatory views.

- Christine Quinn

City, New, Discriminatory, Uphold

'No one sits Baby in a corner,' one of the best lines in movie history.

- Christine Quinn

Baby, Movie, Corner, Lines

I want to be a better Chris Quinn. I don't want to be a different Chris Quinn.

- Christine Quinn

Better, Want, Different, Chris

We all think people deserve second chances. None of us are perfect.

- Christine Quinn

Think, Second Chances, Chances

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